Mathematics in Action An Introduction to Algebraic, Graphical, and Numerical Problem Solving

For courses in Introductory Algebra.

Active learning for active minds

The authors of the Mathematics in Action series believe that students learn mathematics best by actually doing the math within a realistic context. If a student is taking this course, why teach them the same content in the same way that they’ve already seen–yet did not retain? Following this principle, the authors provide a series of guided-discovery activities that help students to construct, reflect upon, and apply mathematical concepts, deepening their conceptual understanding as they do so. The active style of learning develops critical-thinking skills and mathematical literacy, while keeping the concepts in the context of real applications. 

The 6th Edition includes updated examples and activities for maximum interest and relevance, along with new and enhanced digital resources in MyLab™ Math to support conceptual understanding for students, wherever and whenever they need it. 

Also available with MyLab Math

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Package consists of:

• 0135115620 / 9780135115626 Mathematics in Action: An Introduction to Algebraic, Graphical, and Numerical Problem Solving
• 013516818X / 9780135168189 MyLab Math with Pearson eText - Standalone Access Card - for Mathematics in Action: An Introduction to Algebraic, Graphical, and Numerical Problem Solving

The Consortium for Foundation Mathematics is a group of mathematics educators, all originally from New York State, who first came together at SUNY Oswego in the summer of 1995 as part of a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant. The members of the group represented two-year and four-year colleges; commuter and residential colleges; large urban institutions and small rural institutions; and multi-campus as well as single campus institutions. 

Unified by a desire to change the status quo in order to further student success, the group’s initial objectives aimed at a new approach to developmental math that included contextual problem-solving, active collaborative learning, and authentic assessment tied more closely to real-world skills. The efforts of this initial grant resulted in new instructional materials that formed the basis of Consortium’s texts, which include range from Prealgebra to Intermediate Algebra, as well as high school titles. As one Consortium author noted, contributing to this series with its different approach “changed my views about math, and about teaching math.” Of the 16 instructors originally involved in the grant, eight instructors contribute to the latest editions of the text.

Below is an Activity-level Table of Contents for this title. 

Chapter 1. Number Sense

Cluster 1: Introduction to Problem Solving 

Activity 1.1 The Bookstore: Steps in Problem Solving

Activity 1.2 The Classroom: Problem-Solving Strategies

Activity 1.3 Properties of Arithmetic: Properties and Vocabulary for Arithmetic Calculations

What Have I Learned?

How Can I Practice?

Cluster 2: Problem Solving with Fractions and Decimals (Rational Numbers)

Activity 1.4 Top Chef: Operations with Fractions and Mixed Numbers

Project Activity 1.5 Course Grades and Your GPA: Problem Solving Using Fractions and Decimals

What Have I Learned?

How Can I Practice?

Cluster 3: Comparisons and Proportional Reasoning

Activity 1.6 Everything Is Relative: Ratios as Fractions, Decimals, and Percents

Activity 1.7 Antidepressant Use: Proportional Reasoning

Activity 1.8 Who Really Did Better? Actual and Relative Change, Percent Increase and Decrease

Activity 1.9 Going Shopping: Growth and Decay Factors

Activity 1.10 Take an Additional 20% Off: Consecutive Growth and Decay Factors

Activity 1.11 Fuel Economy: Rates and Unit Analysis

What Have I Learned?

How Can I Practice?

Cluster 4: Problem Solving with Signed Numbers

Activity 1.12 Celsius Thermometers: Addition and Subtraction of Integers

Activity 1.13 Shedding the Extra Pounds: Multiplication and Division of Integers

Activity 1.14 Order of Operations Revisited: Negative Exponents and Scientific Notation

What Have I Learned?

How Can I Practice?

Chapter 1 Summary

Chapter 1 Gateway Review

Chapter 2. Variable Sense  

Cluster 1: Symbolic Rules and Expressions

Activity 2.1 Symbolizing Arithmetic: Formulas and Algebraic Expressions

Activity 2.2 Blood Alcohol Levels: Represent a Two-Variable Relationship Algebraically, Numerically, and Graphically

Activity 2.3 College Expenses: Symbolic Rules

Activity 2.4 Are They the Same? Equivalent Expressions and Grouping Symbols

What Have I Learned?

How Can I Practice?

Cluster 2: Solving Equations

Activity 2.5 Let’s Go Shopping: Solve an Equation Containing One Operation

Activity 2.6 Leasing a Copier: Solve an Equation Containing Two or More Operations

Activity 2.7 The Algebra of Weather: Solve a Formula for a Specified Variable

Activity 2.8 Four out of Five Dentists Prefer Crest: Proportions

What Have I Learned?

How Can I Practice?

Cluster 3: More Problem Solving Using Algebra

Activity 2.9 Do It Two Ways: Distributive Property, Greatest Common Factor, and Combining Like Terms

Activity 2.10 Decoding: Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

Activity 2.11 Comparing Energy Costs: Mathematical Models, General Strategy for Solving Linear Equations

Project Activity 2.12 Summer Job Opportunities: Problem Solving Using Linear Equations

What Have I Learned?

How Can I Practice?

Chapter 2 Summary

Chapter 2 Gateway Review

Chapter 3. Function Sense and Linear Functions  

Cluster 1: Function Sense

Activity 3.1 Summer Olympics: Functions, Numerical and Graphical Representation of Functions

Activity 3.2 How Fast Did You Lose? Average Rate of Change

Project Activity 3.3 Comparing Symbolically Defined Functions and Their Graphs

Activity 3.4 Course Grade: Representing Functions Symbolically

What Have I Learned?

How Can I Practice? 

Cluster 2: Introduction to Linear Functions

Activity 3.5 The Snowy Tree Cricket: Slope and Intercepts of a Line

Activity 3.6 Software Sales: Slope-Intercept Equation of a Line

Activity 3.7 Predicting Population: Problem Solving Using Slope-Intercept Equation of a Line

Activity 3.8 College Tuition: Point-Slope Equation of a Line

What Have I Learned?

How Can I Practice?

Cluster 3: Linear Regression, System, and Inequalities

Activity 3.9 Education Pays: Line of Best Fit and Regression Lines

Lab Activity 3.10 Body Parts: Problem Solving Using Regression Equations

Activity 3.11 Smartphone Plan Options: Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

Activity 3.12 Healthy Lifestyle: Solving a System of Linear Equations in Two Variables Using the Addition Method

Project Activity 3.13 Modeling a Business: Problem Solving Using Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

Activity 3.14 How Long Can You Live? Linear Inequalities

What Have I Learned?

How Can I Practice?

Chapter 3 Summary

Chapter 3 Gateway Review

Chapter 4. An Introduction to Nonlinear Problem Solving

Cluster 1: Mathematical Modeling Involving Polynomials

Activity 4.1 Fatal Crashes: Polynomials

Activity 4.2 Volume of a Storage Box: Properties of Exponents

Activity 4.3 Room for Work: Operations with Polynomials

What Have I Learned?

How Can I Practice?

Cluster 2: Problem Solving with Quadratic Equations and Functions

Activity 4.4 The Amazing Property of Gravity: Solving Quadratic Equations

Activity 4.5 What Goes Up, Comes Down: Quadratic Functions and Their Graphs

Activity 4.6 How High Did It Go? Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring

Activity 4.7 More Ups and Downs: Solving Quadratic Equations Using the Quadratic Formula

What Have I Learned?

How Can I Practice?

Cluster 3: Other Nonlinear Functions

Activity 4.8 Inflation: Exponential Functions

Activity 4.9 A Thunderstorm: Direct Variation

Activity 4.10 Diving under Pressure, or Don‘t Hold Your Breath: Inverse Variation

Activity 4.11 Hang Time: Square Root Functions

What Have I Learned?

How Can I Practice?

Chapter 4 Summary

Chapter 4 Gateway Review

Appendices

Appendix A: Fractions 

Appendix B: Decimals 

Appendix C: Skills Checks

Appendix D: Algebraic Extensions 

Appendix E: Getting Started with the TI-84 Plus Family of Calculators 

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